Update: Fourth horse in North Kitsap crash expected to survive

Three killed after wandering onto Highway 3

NORTH KITSAP — The fourth horse hit by a truck early Friday morning on Highway 3 is expected to survive after a day of treatment at a local equine veterinary hospital.

Three horses were killed and a fourth seriously wounded after they were struck by a 1985 Peterbilt semi tractor truck driven by a 27-year-old Port Hadlock man on Highway 3 early Friday morning. The driver was heading north near the intersection of Big Valley Road when he struck all four horses who had come onto the roadway.

Three of the horses died at the scene and the fourth was taken to Sound Equine Veterinary Hospital east of Poulsbo.

The 27-year-old was not injured, troopers said.

“At this point it looks like it will make a full recovery,” Tami Kelly, practice manager at the hospital, said of the fourth horse.

Kelly said the owners of the four horses were found through Facebook. She said before the horses’ owners called they thought all four horses had died. When they learned one had survived they got to the hospital within minutes. Friday was an emotional day for the family and for everyone working at the hospital, Kelly said.

The surviving horse had lacerations and bruises, but did not appear to have internal injuries, Kelly said. It could suffer more in the coming days, much as people do days after a collision.

The horse will also be missing the other members of its herd.

“He definitely is calling for his pasture mates,” Kelly said. Several people have called the hospital to help pay for the horse’s care. “I’ve been touched just by how many people care,” she said. “It’s been pretty amazing.”

Troopers said the crash was caused by the animals and that no charges would be filed against the tractor’s driver. They noted no intoxicants were involved and that the man was wearing his seat belt.